Commander: Help release Marine from Mexico

The American Legion Online Update e-newsletter

The American Legion is asking members to contact the White House and ask President Barack Obama to personally intervene on behalf of a Marine reservist now being held in a Mexican jail.

Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi, a Purple Heart recipient who served two tours in Afghanistan, crossed the Mexican border from San Ysidro, Calif., on March 31. He maintains that the crossing was accidental and the result of poor road signage. He immediately declared to Mexican border officials that he had three legally registered firearms – a rifle, shotgun and 45-caliber pistol and ammunition – in his truck. Although legal in California, the weapons are not legal in Mexico. If convicted, Tahmooressi could face 20 years in prison. The Marine has said that he has been tortured and physically abused while in captivity.

“By nearly everybody’s account, this was an accident,” American Legion National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger said. “The United States provided more than $300 million of foreign aid to Mexico in 2012 alone, and the government there is considered a close friend and ally of the United States. This combat veteran has been held long enough. I am calling upon Legionnaires, family members and friends to contact the White House and ask that President Obama insist on his immediate release.”

At least two dozen members of Congress have also called for Tahmooressi’s release. The issue has picked up renewed attention after the president defended the controversial release of Guantanamo Bay detainees in exchange for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl by saying America “leaves no soldier behind.”

Information about calling, emailing or writing letters to the White House can be found here.

Jim Simms

This is bullshit and the Mexican Government knows it. Let's kidnap some of their soldiers who cross our border everyday and arrange for a prisoner transfer. Then let's cut off all aid to their corrupt country. Of course the President might have to leave the golf course for five minutes. How much longer Mr. President? He's one of my brothers and I want him home. Semper Fi

William Sharp

Sgt. Tahmooressi has been incarcerated since April 2014. I wonder how many golf games Obama has played and enjoyed the camaraderie of friends and loved ones since April. What the Sergeant did was make a simple mistake from a confusing array of signage at the Mexican border. I have read hundreds of messages to the White House that are vehement about the Sergeant's release to no avail. IT IS TIME FOR THE LEGION TO ORGANIZE A NANTIONWIDE DEMONSTRATION ON THE STEPS OF THE WHITE HOUSE, OUR HOUSE, NOT THE CURRENT INEFFECTUAL RESIDENT! Get behind a million Vet march to show our support for the spirit of brotherhood ingrained in the Veterans of this Nation. Let's rise up and show the world that an injustice like this cannot live in the greatest nation in the world.

Wayne Hudson

Money or the lack of is the strongest motivator with foreign governments. We, as American citizens, can act by simply boycotting Mexico. Don't travel there and refuse to buy any goods made in Mexico. I recommend that everyone spread the word through social media to boycott Mexico. We can make a difference. Spread the word!

Roberto S.

What the hell are you doing? You are disgracing this soldier that has been in hell already and all you are doing is sitting on your ass! What are you American or muslim? You are showing the world that any opposition to America can get away with torture while you sit proudly screwing the American Veterans. Cut off all aid to mexico and send all their people back. Or better yet, you go down their and get him yourself. You are making every President before you ashamed at what you are doing to America. Since you are spineless, send in Our Best Seal Team to bring him home and show what United States of America means, not your idea of a Free Nation. I would gladly trade places with him because I am a Marine and I am already dying from Desert Storm. You wouldn't do this. Then you need to resign and pay for your treacheries against OUR AMERICAN VETERANS. This is not your America, this is a Nation Of Heroes who have been disgraced by your actions of treachery, lies, and deceit. Go back where you came from, hiding under a shitbag!

Manuel RUBIO JR

Out of 12 Heroic President's in which Kennedy,Nixon,Ford,Carter,Reagan were my Commander's in Chief. Your the sorry's of the lot Obama.These 12 President's From my birth to the present starting with Franklin D. Roosevelt to the present no count Socialist "Shitbird". We see threw you & your Gumbo Jive. You make me so angry I cry for the United States Of America. How in the hell, Congress is this idiot getting away with Bullshit lies. You better all clean up your "Act". You Damn Liberals & your "political Correct" Bull has to stop.What is right is right, What is wrong is wrong, This Marine Brother is I guarantee Wondering Where is the State Dept.Where is Congress?? I swear on the Holy Bible, If I could do something I would be in their Faces as a Veteran of our still Mighty Nation.I'm crying in anger because of what this Administration is doing to a Honorable Discharged Marine.Do you here tou Idiot "Obame"..

Manuel RUBIO JR

Out of 12 Heroic President's in which Kennedy,Nixon,Ford,Carter,Reagan were my Commander's in Chief. Your the sorry's of the lot Obama.These 12 President's From my birth to the present starting with Franklin D. Roosevelt to the present no count Socialist "Shitbird". We see threw you & your Gumbo Jive. You make me so angry I cry for the United States Of America. How in the hell, Congress is this idiot getting away with Bullshit lies. You better all clean up your "Act". You Damn Liberals & your "political Correct" Bull has to stop.What is right is right, What is wrong is wrong, This Marine Brother is I guarantee Wondering Where is the State Dept.Where is Congress?? I swear on the Holy Bible, If I could do something I would be in their Faces as a Veteran of our still Mighty Nation.I'm crying in anger because of what this Administration is doing to a Honorable Discharged Marine.Do you here tou Idiot "Obame"..

Bill Filber

As a Veteran and a citizen of the United States I strongly believe in our American Constitution and the laws of our land, it is sad and worrisome that presently the President of the United States does not. God Bless the Constitution, and the Nation of Israel.

Ross Johannes

I mention that VFW is proposing a boycott of mexico and you send me a link to complain to the white house???
YOU, Legion representatives get off your asses and YOU complain to the white house. That's disgusting.

Sonny Guizzetti

I don't mean to get on here and begin complaining without all the facts, but I am wondering what the Legion and the VFW are doing. I will be the first to apologize if I'm jumping the gun. Whatever were doing, were have to do more. Can't we get a short 30 sec. spot on TV explaining the situation with our impotent president?

John P. McKenzie, Cosby, TN

Are you getting a sense of WHY all of oboma's college papers, courses, writing are SEALED? Might you now vaguely perceive his birth in Keyna in a hut? Do you worry just a little about a future president using multiple SS Numbers. Did he DO GOOD in your reconning in Benghazi?
Would you buy a car from him? Trust him in a bar fight?
What do you NOW think of the 1,000s of voter fraud cases in Illinois?
The armed black panther at the polling stations?
The IRS houndinh conservatives?
His "czars"?
I say he is going to have to be "pried" out of the WH when his time is up!
AND WE COULD HAVE HAD ROMNEY .... BUT N-O-O-O-O-O-O, You know-everything (and mainly draft-dodging liberals put him back where he can steal your (and my) retirement.
John P. McKenzie, Cosby, TN

John P. McKenzie, Cosby, TN

I believe that this is a great time and place to plainly state that barack oboma is a completely incompetent horrible failure without respect to equal opportunity and/or affirmative action. This man NEVER had the legal nor mental qualifications to be entrusted with the position of commander in chief. In my mind he is directly responsible for the Benghazi disgrace, the I.R.S. scandal, the five animals returned to their hunting grounds, the rapidly expanding
IRAC debacle happening right now, He is a sow's ear to say the least. He has EARNED IMPEACHMENT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. And did I tell you he IS AN African muslim.
John P. McKenzie, Cosby, TN

John P. McKenzie, Cosby, TN

I say we offer the Mexican barack oboma, michelle oboma, joe biden, all the democrats in the Senate and House and a "hole" bunch of liberal assholes straight up for the jar-head.
John P. McKenzie, Cosby, TN

Samuel Brookins

Maynard Sorensen

In todays Mexico, guns across the border by ordinary US Citizens (or soldiers)can be a real source of trouble. Our Marine fell right into the trap...Mexican Law can be very harsh. Local judges have the power to put violators away for a long time. Be careful in traveling to Mexico and plan carefully when it comes to illegal stuff. Fifty years ago we took guns into Mexico to hunt, all we needed was a permit from a Mexican Game Warden and pay them a few bucks to get it. Not Now.

miguel gonzalez

Mark Scully

Both President Obama and Defense Secretary Hagel have described Army Sgt. Bergdahl as a Prisoner of War and U.S. officials took appropriate and courageous action to free the American POW. In view of the fact that the United States is not currently at war with Mexico, I fail to see any comparison between the respective situations of Sgt. Bergdahl and Marine Sgt. Tahmooressi.